BREAKING: Vikings’ $66 Million Star Miss 1st Month 2024 Season
The Minnesota Vikings are anticipated to be without Pro Bowl tight end T.J. Hockenson for the first four to six weeks of the 2024 season due to his ongoing recovery from a knee injury sustained late last year.
As Hockenson’s condition is closely watched, Inside the Vikings’ Will Ragatz reported on May 23 that the team preemptively signed former Green Bay Packers tight end Robert Tonyan to bolster the tight end position during Hockenson’s absence.
“To ensure additional depth at tight end in light of Hockenson’s expected 4-6 week absence, the Vikings acquired veteran Robert Tonyan,” Ragatz noted, indicating that Hockenson might return as early as October.
Tonyan, 30, impressed during his workout and is positioned as a leading pass-catching option among the tight ends aside from Hockenson. Throughout his six-year career, Tonyan has amassed 171 receptions for 1,764 yards and 20 touchdowns.
“He had an excellent workout,” offensive coordinator Wes Phillips said, according to Ragatz. “It was clear he understood the role and executed well, making it an obvious decision to bring him on board.”
Hockenson, who signed a four-year, $66 million extension last season, may start the season on the injured reserve (IR) list, requiring him to miss at least four games.
Hockenson suffered a torn ACL and MCL from a low hit by Detroit Lions safety Kerby Joseph in Week 16. He successfully underwent surgery on January 29 after a month-long delay to allow his MCL to heal, according to the Star Tribune.
T.J. Hockenson Breaks Silence on Lions’ Kerby Joseph’s Low Hit
As Hockenson recovers from his injury, he’s had time to reflect on the play that could sideline him for up to nine months.
Hockenson had just caught a pass mid-stride when his legs were taken out by Joseph, who lowered his helmet—a dangerous move for both players.
“It’s tough. It really is,” Hockenson told reporters on April 14. “We’re big guys, obviously, running through the middle of the field. This is a business, and I don’t think anybody goes out wanting to injure a player like that. I hope that wasn’t the intent.”
A few weeks later, Los Angeles Rams tight end Tyler Higbee also tore his ACL and MCL on a similar low hit from Joseph. Despite the scrutiny, Joseph wasn’t penalized by the NFL for either hit.
“To have it happen again a couple of weeks later, I think that’s something the league needs to look at,” Hockenson added. “You trust that players will protect each other, but sometimes that doesn’t happen in the heat of the game. You don’t want a guy thinking, ‘Hey, I’m going to do this to this guy.’ I hope that wasn’t the case.
“I’m not saying it was or wasn’t, but you want players to protect each other. Whether it’s taught by the team or the league, you want to be able to protect another guy. That’s his career, his livelihood. You don’t want to affect that. And that’s what it’s done.”
Vikings Face Tough Test to Start the 2024 Season
Hockenson’s expected absence will add to the challenges facing the Vikings at the start of the 2024 season.
In the first seven weeks, the Vikings will play against five playoff teams and will have a new starting quarterback for the first time in six seasons.
Fortunately, the Vikings have a bye in Week 5, which could be an ideal time to reintegrate Hockenson into the offense.